I dont have lynx nor alot of reabbits but do use alot of spruce branches for cubbies for various things. I also do not have many rabbits but have found that most spruce trees have alot of dead branches that would accomplish the same thing. Is it the cover or the green branches that attracs the rabbits? If it is the green branches maybe using dead branches that have just dropped their needles would slove the issue rabbit issue maybe?? If it is the cover thing no matter what you do the rabbits are probably going to use the cubbie I believe. Tell me if my assumptions are worng

I've got a request for you guys, sure would appreciate it if one of you would post a closeup picture of a Lynx foot, top and bottom. Just for comparison with a bobcat's. I've always heard that the bottoms are covered with fur.

Thanks, Bill

It was on its trail from last week, but this week he, she , it went a little off. It has been using the area, and numerous tracks, seems to be every 3 or 4 days, but not one defined trail. the other problem I have is the amount of people using the area, I would love to have it more on the edge and flagging tape etc, but would rather not catch one than have it stolen.

Billcat - Our fox have fur covered bottoms of their feet.

there is also the arctic salmon that is covered with hair too.

Hupurest, you might try a single feather on fishing line (a couple of split-shot sinkers to keep it from blowing too much and wrapping around other twigs). If you put it just above "eye level", you might find it may attract the lynx without too much people problem. Are you using a scent (LDC) as well?

Post deleted by otterman

I have a wings, half wings, single feathers, hanging around from right in front of the cubbie, to 30 yds out, and I used them so it would not attract the people.
I do not have asplit shot on them, that is a good idea.

I had a guy tell me today that he used catnip and the lynx went crazy. It rolled in it, pissed on it, clawed it and never stepped in the trap....he forgot his guide sticks. I think I'll try some this weekend.

I was always meaning to get it, and I was going to also try and mix up a bait with ground castors and catnip..
cat probably got all doped up and forgot what he was doing...

Curious where you get your catnip. True catnip is very expensive. Most chemical plants run it (steam distilled) at several hundred dollar per ounce. Artificial catnip is worthless (in my opinion) as a cat lure. So, I just though maybe you had a inside on some thing the rest of us didn't know about. Is it in a liquid form and do you have a problem with the odor getting out? Down here catnip grows wild but dies at summers end.

I'm going to get mine at the Pet Store tonight.

That's funny hupurest! We have drunken marten on the Yukon and doped up cats in the Kilbucks.

Ethically, is cat nip an unfair advantage if the cats are doped up when they step in the trap??? J/K!!

If any of you need catnip, it wont happen this winter, but try to remember to ask me next summer... It grows like crazy around my house. I used to dry it in the shed for the cats.

I might be able to extract the oil usin some fancy science stuff (steam distillation, as victoria pointed out...if you have access to fresh catnip, i can give you a LOT easier method using liquid butane), but I've never tried (i have however tried with other herbs).

It'd be an interesting addition to a lure.

interesting:

catnip oil


Yuo may want to add a couple extra swivels to that trap if they are rollin round a lot And a little extra bait for when they get the munchies.

hey guys I really appreaciate the pictures of the sets.. they help out allot

Seen a neat idea in the NTA mag, American Trapper. Tom Krause, in Wy. showed a pic from his bobcat line where he uses small bells hung from string near his set. The sound arouses the cats curiosity. He buys the bells at hobby/craft stores. I'd say that idea would work on lynx.
I'm a firm believer in getting as much good info on trapping as possible. Any of you guys relying solely on these internet sites to learn about trapping are missing some good stuff!
mt

MT raises a good point there are several good magazines out there along with the internet. I have never tried it but I have read that a couple CDs hanging so the can click each other along with the sun bouncing off the shiney side helps draw cats too like I said no experince with it but read it someplace who knows where

I can't believe this lynx thread has so little interest, but it is doing a little better than the wolverine thread (which also seems odd to me). Lynx numbers are definitely increasing in the Copper Basin. Are they not abundant on anyone elses line this year?

Just to throw in my two cents worth, I do not put much weight in cubby size. Mine are typically rudimentary, consisting of a few leaning sticks against a tree (sometimes just a little brush)and some well placed guide sticks. Essentially, I place my trap in the path of least resistance to the bait (i.e., the lynx can get to the bait from the side, but it typically comes in the easiest, clearest way, and steps on the trap).

I also like to use snare sets. I typically put some bait off the trail, make a trail going to the bait, and hang a snare in the trail. I try to make a big disturbance on the snowmachine trail to make sure the lynx stops and investigates. Making two paths from this disturbance point to the bait works well with a snare in each path. This set is way easier to make than a leghold cubby. It is my feeling that this set works better than a cubby like set this time of year.

As far as I know about the only laminated traps used much here in Maine are the smaller traps used for coyote, such as #1 3/4 & #2 coil springs. Alot of guys like the smaller traps for dirt hole sets before the snows come. After that any good quality #3 works.

Here is my season to date pic. I had to take it now because with the current fur prices, I felt it necessary to diversify my buyers sooner than later. I do not need Pappa's or NAFA deciding whether or not I get a septic system put in this summer if you know what I mean.

Anyways, as you can tell, I concentrated on lynx this year, and had a blast doing it. Already cannot wait till next year, and hope I can find time to try and entice some gulo gulos into sticking their heads into a 330.

guloboy-
Cool picture. That's impressive. We don't have cats around here, but they really interest me. The only cat I trapped was a wildy kitten that had a cool bobcat-lookin' hide and he's yowlin at the door to be let out right now.
I was wondering, not to pry or anything, but why was it you didn't go for any gluttons this year? From the other thread you seem to be pretty proficient at that too.